AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the microbiology of secondary bacterial peritonitis due to appendicitis and the appropriateness of current antimicrobial practice in one institution.MethodsA 14-year retrospective single-centre study of 69 consecutive paediatric patients (age 1–14 years) with appendicitis-related peritonitis and positive peritoneal specimen cultures was conducted. Post-operative outcomes, microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility of peritoneal isolates were analysed in all patients.ResultsEscherichia coli was identified in 56/69 (81 %) peritoneal specimens; four isolates were resistant to amoxicillin–clavulanate, and one other isolate was resistant to gentamicin. Anaerobes were identified in 37/69 (54 %) peritoneal specimens; two anaerobic isolates were resistant to amoxicillin–clavulanate and one isolate was resistant to metronidazole. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified in 4/69 (6 %) peritoneal specimens, and all were susceptible to gentamicin. Streptococcal species (two Group F streptococci and three β-haemolytic streptococci) were identified in 5/69 (7 %) specimens, and all were susceptible to amoxicillin–clavulanate. Combination therapy involving amoxicillin–clavulanate and aminoglycoside is appropriate empirical treatment in 68/69 (99 %) patients. Addition of metronidazole to this regime would provide 100 % initial empirical coverage. Inadequate initial empiric antibiotic treatment and the presence of amoxicillin–clavulanate resistant E. coli were independent predictors of the post-operative infectious complications observed in 14/69 (20 %) patients.ConclusionE. coli and mixed anaerobes are the predominant organisms identified in secondary peritonitis from appendicitis in children. Inadequate initial empirical antibiotic and amoxicillin–clavulanate resistant E. coli may contribute to increased post-operative infectious complications. This study provides evidence-based information on choice of combination therapy for paediatric appendicitis-related bacterial peritonitis.

Independent clinical predictors of advanced appendicitis exist but lack individual accuracy. In this study, preoperative pyrexia is shown to be highly associated with both advanced appendicitis and development of postoperative complications. This independent factor may point to early need for antibiotic treatment, urgent imaging and subsequent intervention in patients with appendicitis.

Recurrent Rapunzel syndrome (RRS) is a rare clinical presentation with fewer than six cases reported in the PubMed literature. A report of RRS and literature review is presented. A 25-year-old female was admitted to hospital with a 4-wk history of epigastric pain and swelling. She had a known history of trichophagia with a previous admission for Rapunzel syndrome requiring a laparotomy nine years earlier, aged 16. Psychological treatment had been successfully achieved for nine years with outpatient hypnotherapy sessions only, but she defaulted on her last session due to stressors at home. The abdominal examination demonstrated an epigastric mass. Computer tomography scan revealed a large gastric bezoar and features of aspiration pneumonia. The patient underwent emergency open surgical laparotomy for removal as the bezoar could not be removed endoscopically. The bezoar was cast in a shape that mimicked the contours of the stomach and proximal small bowel, hence the diagnosis of RRS. The patient was seen by a psychiatrist and was commenced on Quetiapine before discharge. She continues to attend follow-up.

CRP is effective as an early predictor of infective complications after laparoscopic colorectal surgery and may be a useful adjunct in conjunction with an enhanced recovery program in reducing morbidity. A CRP of >148 mg/mL on postoperative day 3 or a persistently elevated CRP should heighten clinical suspicion of an infective complication.